Why Lewis Hamilton will continue to take a knee in F1 this season

Lewis Hamilton

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Why Hamilton will continue to take a knee in F1 this season

Hamilton feels he will spark "uncomfortable conversations"

Ian Parkes

Friday 26 March 2021 05:00

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Lewis Hamilton has confirmed he will continue to take a knee throughout the Formula 1 season which he feels will lead to "uncomfortable conversations".

F1 has made clear that drivers can perform whatever action they feel appropriate this year as it instead focuses on its #WeRaceAsOne initiative and the core social issues of sustainability, diversity & inclusion and community.

Hamilton, who promoted the Black Lives Matter movement last year as part of the call to end racism, opted to take a knee as F1 designated a short period of time before a race for the drivers to show their support.

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The seven-time F1 champion feels it is vital he continues such a gesture this season, even if some sports stars such as footballer Wilfred Zaha have questioned if it has lost its meaning.

"I plan to continue to take the knee because I think what's really important is that when young children are watching what we are doing in this sport, and when they see us take the knee, they will sit and ask their parents or teachers 'Why are they doing that? What are they taking the knee for?'" said Hamilton.

"It's an uncomfortable conversation. It means parents have to educate themselves, and the kids are getting educated.

"It's a fight that's not won, it's a fight that will continue on for a long time I'm sure but we're in a good time where conversation is healthy."

Despite claiming his seventh title last season and setting a new record for the number of races won, Hamilton has revealed the impact of last year, given the events around the world, "weighed heavily" on him.

Hamilton insists, though, he remains committed to doing what he can to assist now that certain issues have been brought sharply into focus and need addressing.

"As I get older I'm understanding more," added Hamilton. "I think we all went through an educational phase last year, we were all learning more, there was a lot more discussion.

"I was watching more documentaries, I was reading a huge amount more, trying to educate myself with the things that were happening around the world, and that hasn't stopped, through winter also.

"It definitely felt empowering to not be silent like some [people] may want you to be. It definitely felt that in taking a knee, on a personal level, I was letting the black community know 'I hear you, I see you and I stand with you'. That was important for me.

"But along the way there are so many things we need to address around the world and, naturally, I can't fix everything but I want to help.

"We have, as I mentioned last year, an amazing platform here, and it's great to see the steps Formula 1 are taking, the steps Mercedes are taking to help make the sport more diverse."